Heads-up on Stephen Drew

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 -- Anonymous (not verified)

O’s Roberts knows concussions

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Boston Red Sox

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Author(s):

Scott Lauber

Red Sox Notebook

FORT MYERS — Twelve days after being struck on the helmet by a wayward pitch, Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew flew to Pittsburgh to see a concussion specialist in hopes of finding answers to why the symptoms have not subsided.

Brian Roberts has taken the same journey.

Roberts, the Baltimore Orioles’ two-time All-Star second baseman, suffered two concussions in a seven-month span, causing him to be sidelined for significant portions of the past two seasons. As part of his recovery, he went to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and met with Dr. Mickey Collins, with whom Drew has an appointment today.

“I wouldn’t be (playing) without him,” Roberts said yesterday after the Orioles’ 8-7 Grapefruit League victory over the Red Sox at JetBlue Park. “He was there for me any time I picked up the phone, day or night, seven days a week. He’s good at the psychological aspect, keeping you positive and convincing you that you’re going to get out of this. It’s just a matter of time, and unfortunately, nobody has a timetable. The brain heals on its own.”

Drew is finding that out.

On March 7, Drew was hit by a pitch thrown by the Minnesota Twins’ Caleb Thielbar. Although early indications were that Drew would miss only a few days, he continues to experience blurred vision and dizziness. At this point, it seems unlikely he will be ready for Opening Day.

Roberts suffered his first concussion on Sept. 27, 2010, when he hit himself in the helmet with a bat. It took several months before the symptoms abated, but he was ready to play by 2011 spring training.

The second concussion, the one that prompted Robers to seek help from Collins, occurred on a headfirst slide into first base on May 16, 2011, at Fenway Park. Roberts didn’t play again for 13 months.

Roberts’ advice for Drew: “Be patient.”

“This is your brain you’re taking about,” Roberts said. “It’s something that you need to function for the rest of your life. As important as baseball is to all of us, life in general is more important. This thing will take you to some places that you really don’t want to go. It’ll take you to some dark places. If you feel yourself going in that direction, you need to talk to someone.”

Ortiz cuts in

David Ortiz swung a bat for the first time in more than a week, taking 50 cuts off a tee in the batting cage. The Red Sox will wait to see how Ortiz’ aching heels respond today before they attempt to ramp up the designated hitter’s physical activity.

As always, the truest test of Ortiz’ heels will come when he runs the bases. . . .

Orioles infielder Danny Valencia, who played 10 games for the Red Sox last year, provided the decisive blow with a solo homer in the ninth against reliever Terry Doyle.

Bard nicked up

As reliever Daniel Bard pitched in the seventh inning, he repeatedly wiped blood from his right thumb on his white uniform pants. The problem was nothing new.

Bard explained that he “nicked” skin off the base of his thumb with the nail of his index finger while following through on a fastball in the bullpen. It has happened before, and although Bard conceded he “would rather it didn’t happen,” he also said it wasn’t the reason he allowed three runs on two hits, a balk and a two-out walk. . . .

Principal owner John Henry watched the game from a suite with general manager Ben Cherington.

Bogaerts back

One day after the Netherlands was eliminated in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic, top prospect Xander Bogaerts was en route to rejoin the Red Sox, who will keep the shortstop in major league camp at least through the end of the week.

Bogaerts isn’t a candidate for the Opening Day roster, not even with Drew sidelined. But the Sox are hoping to get him some at-bats in Grapefruit League games before breaking camp, and because shortstops Jose Iglesias, Pedro Ciriaco and Brock Holt remain in camp, the 20-year-old likely will play third base, his adopted position in the WBC.

“Make no mistake, still in our eyes he’s a shortstop,” manager John Farrell said. “We’re not going to wait until the end of the game (to play Bogaerts). If we can get four at-bats for him on a given day, he’s going to play third base.”

Bogaerts got 19 at-bats in the WBC, batting .263 with two doubles and an RBI.

“I think the experience he had with the WBC is all positive,” Farrell said. “Would we have liked more at-bats? Sure. But I think the fact that he played in that environment and on that stage outweighs maybe a few less at-bats he otherwise would’ve had here. We’re happy for the experience that he went through.”